Ways to Reconnect with your Students after Summer Vacation

At the beginning of the summer, the school bell rings for the final time. With a cheer, students rush out of the classroom. No more teachers! No more studying! No more homework! No more school! They are free for over two months. They already have plans of what they want to do. This includes camping, swimming, hanging out at the mall and catching up on activities they have put aside. The start of the school year is in the near future. Before you know it, the gloomy days are just around the corner. The new school year is starting soon.

As teachers, you must start off the school year on the right foot. Your students will be thinking back to their days of freedom, the summer vacation. Already, some of them are thinking ahead to the next summer vacation.

You must be able to reconnect with your students so they do not lose focus during their classes. The first week is the most important time of the school year. If you set the tone right during this time, the rest of the year will flow smoothly.

Before the start of the school year, write out your expectations for you class and make copies of it. Hand these copies to your students on the first day of school. Ask each student if they understand what you want them to do throughout the year. If they are confused, sit and explain until they understand how you want things done.

Create an organized classroom by setting aside different areas in the classroom for different activities. This method allows students to work on different tasks and will not interrupt the others in the class. Use one corner of the classroom for quiet activities, such as reading and doing homework. Use the other corner for other students who are involved in projects where two or more students work together.

They have an area where they can talk quietly. Put any reference materials such as dictionaries and encyclopedias in the back of the classroom. Students in both corners can use the reference section for their class work and projects. They are set apart from each other where the students quietly talking about projects will not disturb the ones working on quiet activities.

On the first day of school, greet each student as they comes into the classroom with a smile. Learn their names as soon as possible. It is important to keep a positive attitude. When you show enthusiasm about teaching the class, this will rub off onto the students and make them look forward to taking your class.

Have a group activity where each student tells what he did during his summer vacation. Show interest in what they did. For example, if somebody talks about going to an amusement park, ask him what rides he went on. Go on to say what rides you like to go on. Another example, is if somebody spent most of their summer reading, have him open up by naming some of the books. Share some of the books you liked to read when you were his age. Also, share some stories of your summer vacations. By communicating with your students, you are giving them a chance to look forward to be in your class.

Your students go to school for a reason; because they have to. Explain that it is important for them to learn. This is important for their future. Hang posters around the classroom of people in different occupations. Tell the students what types of skills and education these jobs require. Find out from your students what type of jobs they want when they are adults. You can point out the type of education they will need in order to meet their dreams.

Sure, summer vacation is a time of freedom, pleasure and fun. However, when the teachers set the right atmosphere, school can also be enjoyable.